by Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

by Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY

SANTA BARBARA: PC sales have taken a beating, as consumers opt for shiny new tablets instead, but on campus, it's another story.

At least, on a recent visit to the University of California, Santa Barbara here, the common areas were highlighted by students, their laptops, backpacks and smartphones. We found a few random iPads and Kindles, but they were way in the minority.

"It's useful," said Andrew An, working on his math homework on a laptop, in a school cafeteria. "I do all my work on it."

"I use my computer all the time," said Mari Matgen.

Breynna Carter leaves her laptop at home--but does bring an iPad to school. For taking notes, "the tablets much easier."

Ariadne Mundy also leaves the laptop at home--and does much of her schoolwork on an iPhone.